The best of the outdoors

For Sunday brunch, ai lays out seven food stations and a large dessert counter

Updated: Wed, Dec 17 2008. 11 11 PM IST

Market Cafe, Khan Market, New Delhi

The good stuff

Clever use of platforms of varying height makes you feel like you’re on an exclusive rooftop terrace. Free wireless Internet connectivity.

The not-so-good

The popularity of the place and its first-come-first-seated policy mean you may have to settle for a table indoors.

Talk plastic

Try their Hummus platter for Rs215 and Lemon Twist juice for Rs90.

For Sunday brunch, ai lays out seven food stations and a large dessert counter

ai, MGF Metropolitan Mall, Saket, New Delhi

The good stuff

The buffet gives you the chance to expand your sushi horizons. And a new brunch initiative provides guests with their own picnic basket complete with wine, mats and the day’s newspaper.

The not-so-good

There’s no denying you’re squat in the middle of a large mall complex with construction on all sides.

Talk plastic

Sunday brunch costs Rs1,495 per person, plus taxes, for as much as you can eat and drink.

Magique, Garden of Five Senses, New Delhi

The good stuff

The ambience scores top marks: Magique is located deep in the Garden of Five Senses, and its design brings to mind Antoni Gaudi’s Barcelona.

The not-so-good

The place can get too crowded for romance and they insist on playing loud music at night. Plus, the restaurant is a drive and a half away from anywhere.

Talk plastic

Entrées are for around Rs800 and appetizers start at around Rs300.

Olive Bar and Kitchen, Bandra, Mumbai

The good stuff

You’re always likely to run into a Bollywood actor or two.

The not-so-good

For a while, Olive was famous for everything but the cuisine. We’ve noticed that the food has improved drastically in recent times but quality remains inconsistent.

Talk plastic

Try the chicken or pork espadata (Rs600 per skewer), the sangria (if you’re in a group of three or more, get the pitcher—Rs1,900; the per-glass serving, at Rs400, is a rip off), or a pizza (Rs400-450).

Dome, InterContinental, Marine Drive, Mumbai

The good stuff

Provides a breathtaking view of the Queen’s Necklace. Watch the sun go down over the Arabian Sea while sipping on cocktails. Dome features live contemporary jazz every week from Tuesdays through Thursdays. The menu is mostly grills, with a choice of tenderloin, shrimp, lamb, cottage cheese, mushroom and more.

The not-so-good

The lack of variety on the menu.

Talk plastic

Get a Cosmopolitan for Rs450 and a Long Island Iced Tea for Rs500. The

Gremolata Butterfly Prawns are for Rs825 and Dome Tempura for Rs535.

Ebony, MG Road, Bangalore

The good stuff

Enjoy the weather and a great view of the city, including glimpses of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the Karnataka legislature.

The not-so-good

Be prepared to wait for a table if you walk in without reservations. Ebony is very popular and a growing tourist hot spot. With the Metro construction in progress, it’s difficult to ignore the missing foliage and heaps of rubble on MG Road below.

Talk plastic

A meal for two will cost around Rs1,000.

The Grasshopper, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore

The good stuff

The seating is dispersed throughout the garden and corridor. You need to reserve a table in advance, so the place is calm and crowd-free.

The not-so-good

The restaurant does not have a menu and the chef creates a multi-course meal based on your specifications. Allowing your meal to be steered by someone else can be unnerving, but your palate will certainly not be disappointed.